Horncastle Football Club 1873-1900


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Horncastle Town Football Club History 1873-1900

Horncastle Town Football Club were founded in 1873

Horncastle Town v Lincoln City

JANUARY 2nd 1885

The match in the third round of the Lincolnshire Challenge Cup Competition was played on the Wong Horncastle on Bank Holiday. The match had excited a large amount of interest throughout the County, in as much as the City had hitherto been considered the premier club of the county, while Horncastle could boast of winning every engagement this season.

The Lincolnians have throughout been the favourites and they themselves have ever been confident of success and on Friday were accompanied by about 500 of their friends and a band of music. The day was eminently suitable, and upwards of 2,000 spectators gathered on the ground. The City won the toss and elected to kick towards the town. The home team followed their kick off in fine style and at once made an invasion into their opponent’s territory. The City backs however were on the alert and soon returned the ball to the forwards , who immediately took a dashing and pretty run into the Horncastle lines but found themselves unable to overcome the vigilance of Tweed and Curtis.

For some few minutes the game was of very even character , each club alternately being compelled to act on the defensive.

The game was exceedingly fast on both sides and as it was apparent that the clubs were using their upmost exertions to gain an advantage.

The excitement was accordingly at a great height. The brothers Newsome and E. Teesdale for the City were very prominent, passing and dribbling with great skill , for they were fully equalled by the brothers Turner and Albone for Horncastle while C. E. Chapman by his skilful manoeuvres puzzled the Lincolnians.

Some good play from the backs, some smart passing among the forwards and a good combination from the whole team and C. E. Chapman was enabled to lower the City’s colours and place a goal to the credit of Horncastle amid the mingled cheers and groans of the spectators. This un-looked for event caused the City to re-double, if possible their previous exertions, and on one occasion they appeared likely to equalise the score. A sharp shot was direct for the Horncastle upright but the ball , striking the cross-bar it rebounded into play only however to be again propelled forward. Jeffrey however caught the ball and immediately threw it out of danger, a piece of play for which he received the well earned plaudits of the spectators.

The Horncastrians soon again asserted their superiority, and several corners were obtained but were turned to no account and at last the second goal was placed to their credit from the foot of W. Turner.

Half time left Horncastle 2 goals to the City none. When play resumed it was plainly apparent that the home team were superior players to their opponents and they poured in numerous shots which owing to Cousan’s defence in goal proved of no avail. A really splendid run and an attempt to score was made by J. Turner but in vain The finest run of the afternoon was obtained by C. E . Chapman who took the ball the entire length of the field skilfully passing all the City team and placed the ball through the uprights . Simultaneously however W. Turner had charged the goal-keeper and the referee ruled the goal to be off-side. Shortly afterwards a scrimmage occurred in front of goal out of which Chapman registered a further goal which was allowed . The contest thus ended in a decisive victory for Horncastle by three goals and one disputed to nil.

Both teams played well and the above score may be regarded as a fair criterion of the merits of each club.

Horncastle had never been much troubled to present themselves in the County X1 while the City sometimes contribute four although they do not possess a player that can cope with T. Chapman or Curtis and have none to beat either of the brothers Turner:

Teams - Horncastle: W. Jeffrey, F. Tweed, H. Curtis, F. Chapman, R. Andrews, L. Brooks, W. Turner, J. Turner, C. E . Chapman , R. Turner, H. Albone.

City : E. A. Cousans, S. Ogelsby, T. White, G. Simpson, F. Y . Teesdale, W. Fox, C. Newsome, H. Newsome, E. Teesdale, R. Mason, Hallam. Mr. G. S. Harby of the Sheffield Association officiated as referee.

Town reach the last 16 of the FA Cup

In 1886-87 Horncastle Town Football Club achieved what must be their greatest moment when they reached the last 16 of the FA Cup! They were beaten by Aston Villa 5-0.

Read the full story and reports of Horncastle Town Football Clubs epic F A Cup run by following this link to Horncastle reach the last 16 of the FA Cup

You can view details about Horncastle Football Clubs FA Cup run at Horncastle Town in the FA Cup

Horncastle Town v Spilsby Town

Mr Editor,

Just a few lines about the above match. I will not say anything about the above game itself, as no doubt you will have received a report from your Horncastle correspondent.

At the finish of the match the Spilsby team were followed by a crowd of from 100 to 150 men and youths, who hooted and hissed them all the way from the football ground to their hotel.

And not content with that some actually threw stones at them when they drove out of town, one or two of the Spilsby players being hit and one stone almost as large as an orange was found in the bottom of the waggonette.

Soccer Fever

Horncastle Town F C have not always been the only club in town with a prefix ‘ Horncastle’ in the name. In 1891 there were Horncastle Lindum and Horncastle Gridirons . Other names which have appeared down the years are Wednesday , Swifts, Grammarians and Athletic.

Adidas or Puma

In 1899, football was still booming as this advert which appeared in the Horncastle News proves: “Footballs !! Footballs!! Footballs!! and other requisites for this popular game. Prices and quality to suit all at J. Isles, East Street, Horncastle

Another new Club will it last?

On September 30th 1899 a new football club announced its arrival in the News Horncastle Rangers were born into local folklore.

Lord Willoughby

In October 1899 Lord Willoughby came to Horncastle to officially hand over a trophy to be played for each season; it is still played for today as the Willoughby Cup.

On October 7th 1899 the new football season started (very late compared with the usual August start in modern times). Town’s strip was proudly announced to comprise of ‘white shirts and blue knickers’.

At the end of the 19th century Horncastle Wednesday came into being as an off shoot of the Town side. It seems there was a disagreement over which players should play in the team. Had there been a major row? Was there skulduggery afoot ?Do any readers know more ?

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